Hotel Ms Chipichape Cali

... lessons he did brave the floor for one dance. Carlos taught me a few spins and they both joined forces to have my birthday announced to the entire place, although I think my blinking crown had probably already given me away:)

I had been wanting to take a dance lesson with Evan for quite a while
so the next day as a late birthday promise Evan and I took a private
salsa lesson, what better place than in the salsa capital!

It has been a ...

... a country of motorcycles nearly all less than 200cc and ridden with suicidal abandon, any gap any space is to be taken at all cost.

I eventually get a taxi to guide me to the hostel, for $2 in busy traffic it is worth it.

I arrive sweaty and smelly so dive into the shower and then out for food.

The owner Mike a Dane is a biker and has a lot of experience of South America so I will be picking his brains later.

... Stadtrundgang, der sämtliche Bücherläden Calis mit einschloss, haben wir am Abend des 17. April mit Fransisco "Pacho Amores", Diego und Alex in meinen Geburtstag gefeiert. Am nächsten Tag ging es dann auf in die Berge am Rio Pance, nicht weit von Cali. Schwer bepackt mit Zelt, Schlafsack und diversen Leckereien haben wir uns zunächst mit dem Bus und dann zu Fuss auf den Weg gemacht, zu einer Lichtung in der Nähe eines ...

... dull with little to offer the tourist. But just across the park, on the northern side where we were staying, the residential and commercial buildings were ultra-modern and marketed towards the richer Calians. We visited the shopping centre Chipichape, which in my opinion exceeded European standards. An evening was spent in the cinema watching 'The Curious Tale of Benjamin Button' which we both enjoyed. As for the nightlife here in Cali...well, we ...

We were told Cali was great, but actually there is not that much to do here. We got here yesterday night, we walked so long from the bus terminal to our hostel with the backpacks... And Cali is expensive so with these two things in mind we decided to leave tomorrow. We spent our day at the zoo. I was not too keen on going because i am against zoos and believe animals should be kept in their natural environment, but i must admit ...

... and caipirinha. The event started at 12 am, but because of the "speed" of the bus I took (that was stopping all the way in order to take new passengers - a very common thing both in Ecuador and Colombia), I only got to Cali at 6 pm :o((. To my happy surprise, at that hour, most of Tavinho's friends (various Brazilians included) were still there havin fun. After a refreshing shower I joined the group and attacked the "feijoada", while receiving a ...

... during the day...everything here happens at night) I headed back to the hostel. At 3pm it was time to head off to the Stadio del Torro (the bullfighting arena). Now, I've never been a great fan of the bullfighting and disagree with the argument that the fight is fair and equal but thought it best to see for myself what its all about. Queued up for a while and bought my $25 ticket for the ensuing bloodbath. A lot of lashed up locals outside making fools of themselves. Some even taking ...

... that just raises a red flag and puts a target on your forehead. Even though we tried, some English words always came out. The ****, sh!t, damn, maybe, ok, whatevers came out unconsciously. Careful, careful. Oh yes, remember it's a microonda, not a microwave. LOL Oh the Spanglishhhhh! Showers and Bathrooms: Boy this is a fun one! Unless you are in some spify hotel, you will have to take a shower with COLD WATER!!! Oh yes ...

... But I know he does this because he loves me..... Anywho.... living with Bernardo`s family for a couple day was great experience. His mother cooked me food, took me shopping and help me find my way around the city. Since she speaks no English and my Spanish is basic at best... communication was challenging but fun. She was always ...

... around 40 to 45mph, it was pretty fast...expecially you're only sitting on a bench on a wooden cart!). there, a local colombian guy called luis came and joined us for a swim in the river (which was amazingly clear!). the way back was sh*t though as the bus was full (and hot) so we had to stand the whole way (mat, who at 6 foot 3, had to tilt his head sideways the whole journey! poor guy!)! and then there was a group of 13 young, loud ...